IT IS just so tiresome reading the complaints about sporting teams that don't win and referees who can't referee. The complainants should have played for my footy team; we did a lap of honour if we won the toss. I WOULD gladly donate money to help the farmers, but I don’t know how to go about it as I don’t do online banking. REGARDING David Davies comments on Mal Meninga (Short Takes 6/8), I also recall Mal’s comments in 1995. The remarks were made in the heat of the Super League war that the game did absolutely nothing for him. A number of things, Mr Davies. Did I agree with Mal then? No. Has 23 years changed my view? No, but it’s done and dusted. We all say things that in hindsight we regret, or at least I do. But more to the point, the criteria to be an Immortal is only judged by the on-field performances where Mal is, in my opinion, an out and out legend. I would suggest Johns and Raper would be no chance of Immortal status if the criteria were also to include off-field performance. Come on, David Davies, lighten up and move on. Life’s too short to carry grudges. PAGE nine of Friday’s Herald (‘Korea set to lift tax on coal’, Herald 3/8) shows a great graph about coal exports by destination. The problem is that we have two types of coal: coking coal for steel production, not that dirty electricity production stuff, and thermal coal. Exports through Newcastle are used in autonomous countries that benefit them and the populations of those countries. It is about time the do-gooders that cry we should stop the exports and save the planet actually looked at what coal goes where and to whom. I think this graph just helps the continued confusion and gives the ignorant ammunition. IN RESPONSE to Sandy Buchanan's comments (Short Takes 6/8) I can guarantee that the sausages that you buy in store are exactly the same as those we enter in the Sausage King competition, and I'm sure that is the case for all butchers that enter the competition. Our credibility is at stake. I’m not sure where you get the assumption that we make special "competition sausages", but not all sausages are to everyone's liking. SANDY Buchanan (Short Takes 6/8) has a valid point. I have always thought the Sausage King (“Hunter butchers sizzle in annual competition”, Herald 3/8) should be decided by a mystery shopper. We have never entered my recipes. It’s just not the same as it used to be when we had sawdust on the floor. Ah, the good old days. WHY is it when a dog attacks a person (even if it's an accidental bite) it makes the news and people want the dog destroyed, but when two dogs attack and kill another dog like the two pit bulls that mauled and killed Carly, a dog with a beautiful soul that belonged to my ex, last Thursday, you don’t hear anything about it even though the police and RSPCA were called?

Short Takes August 8: readers have their say on the day’s news

IT IS just so tiresome reading the complaints about sporting teams that don't win and referees who can't referee. The complainants should have played for my footy team; we did a lap of honour if we won the toss.

Mike Sargent, Raymond Terrace

I WOULD gladly donate money to help the farmers, but I don’t know how to go about it as I don’t do online banking.

Margaret Priest, Wallsend

REGARDING David Davies comments on Mal Meninga (Short Takes 6/8), I also recall Mal’s comments in 1995. The remarks were made in the heat of the Super League war that the game did absolutely nothing for him. A number of things, Mr Davies. Did I agree with Mal then? No. Has 23 years changed my view? No, but it’s done and dusted. We all say things that in hindsight we regret, or at least I do. But more to the point, the criteria to be an Immortal is only judged by the on-field performances where Mal is, in my opinion, an out and out legend. I would suggest Johns and Raper would be no chance of Immortal status if the criteria were also to include off-field performance. Come on, David Davies, lighten up and move on. Life’s too short to carry grudges.

Steve Fernie, Maryland

PAGE nine of Friday’s Herald (‘Korea set to lift tax on coal’, Herald 3/8) shows a great graph about coal exports by destination. The problem is that we have two types of coal: coking coal for steel production, not that dirty electricity production stuff, and thermal coal. Exports through Newcastle are used in autonomous countries that benefit them and the populations of those countries. It is about time the do-gooders that cry we should stop the exports and save the planet actually looked at what coal goes where and to whom. I think this graph just helps the continued confusion and gives the ignorant ammunition.

Ian Reynolds, Forster

IN RESPONSE to Sandy Buchanan's comments (Short Takes 6/8) I can guarantee that the sausages that you buy in store are exactly the same as those we enter in the Sausage King competition, and I'm sure that is the case for all butchers that enter the competition. Our credibility is at stake. I’m not sure where you get the assumption that we make special "competition sausages", but not all sausages are to everyone's liking.

Bede Jarrett, Lambton

SANDY Buchanan (Short Takes 6/8) has a valid point. I have always thought the Sausage King (“Hunter butchers sizzle in annual competition”, Herald 3/8) should be decided by a mystery shopper. We have never entered my recipes. It’s just not the same as it used to be when we had sawdust on the floor. Ah, the good old days.

Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay

WHY is it when a dog attacks a person (even if it's an accidental bite) it makes the news and people want the dog destroyed, but when two dogs attack and kill another dog like the two pit bulls that mauled and killed Carly, a dog with a beautiful soul that belonged to my ex, last Thursday, you don’t hear anything about it even though the police and RSPCA were called?